Ooty cop dies while performing stunt on Republic Day

It was meant to be a gala show with a happy ending, but during the Republic Daycelebrations in Tamil Nadu's Udhagamandalam, popular as Ooty, a police constable died while performing a stunt on Thursday.

After all the song and dance was over, the 31-year-old constable -- M. Pandian -- took centre stage as he moved in to display his prowess in acrobatics. After performing daring stunts including one on a motorcycle, during the penultimate somersault over 12 children, Pandian's controlled landing went awry as he plummeted to his death.

Pandian suffered a neck injury and died within 20 minutes of the accident. Among those who were witnessing the proceedings at the ground was the constable's wife. He was rushed to the hospital but it was too late.

Reports indicated that a spinal cord injury led to a heart attack and killed Pandian. But it also appeared to be a case of medical negligence as the victim was alive for 20 minutes after the mishap.

The authorities also stand accused of endangering the lives of kids who were made to lie down for the stunt which proved fatal.

Apart from his wife, Pandian was survived by two daughters -- one aged six-year-old and the other just 11-month-old.